Crew of the Deadliest Catch to star in local bike run this weekend

August 19, 2010

Making their way from the icy waters of the frigid Alaskan seas to the tropical oasis of Southwest Florida, the crew from Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" will be enjoying a bike run throughout the area to help the Louisiana Crab Fisherman Foundation this weekend, Saturday, Aug. 21, starting at the Harley Davidson dealership in Fort Myers (2160 Colonial Blvd., 275-4647).

Be sure to join Edgar Hansen, deck boss, Matt Bradley, deckhand and Jake Anderson, junior deckhand, all crew members of "Deadliest Catch's" Northwestern, for a smooth ride around Southwest Florida.

Fans and riders should meet at the dealership around 2 p.m. The run begins at 3 p.m., making its way south to the Harley Davidson dealership in Naples (3645 Gateway Lane, 594-5504). From there, after an hour catch-up, riders will head to one of the run's main sponsors, Pincher's Crab Shack, at Gulf Coast Town Center, arriving around 5:30 p.m.

Fans of the show can then enjoy meet-and-greets with the crew, photo opportunities, autographs and a silent auction, all going to the fishermen's charity.

"Pinchers is a sponsor. So, as a whole, we're involved, but the run will not be on Fort Myers Beach," said Nancy Dato, banquet manager of the Fort Myers Beach Pincher's Crab Shack, within the Holiday Inn. "The cast got a hold of Grant, the son of the founder of Pincher's, and that's how we became a sponsor."

During the party at Pincher's in the Gulf Coast Town Center, our locally rockin' Deb and the Dynamics will hit the stage, beginning around 9 p.m., with The Dazzling Delrays preceding, from 5 to 8 p.m.

"There is no fee to attend the bike run," said Jennifer Ferraro, assistant marketing and hospitality manager at Harley Davidson. "The three guys (cast members from the show) are renting bikes from us, so we decided to turn it into a group ride for a good charity."

Harley crew, as well as all looking forward to ride, have been keeping their eyes in the sky, hoping the weather will stay light, sunny and clear for the run.

"The weather's supposed to be good," Jennifer said. "We've definitely been keeping an eye on it."

This run has been the talk of the town for weeks now. Carl Mann, Fort Myers Beach resident and fellow rider, is one of the locals eager to hit the road with the crew of the Northwestern.

"I'm excited to be part of the run it's for a good cause," he said. "I've been cleaning up my bike all week in preparation for it!"

"We're very excited and patiently waiting to get it going," Jennifer said.

Along with Harley Davidson and Pincher's Crab Shack, Coors Light and "Deadliest Catch" are also main sponsors of the bike run. So far, there are no plans for an official police escort, but some of the riders, along with The Defenders, a police officer riding group, are expected to participate, and may assist with traffic a bit to ensure a safer run. For more information in the upcoming event, contact Harley Davidson of Fort Myers, 275-4647.